Pave: The Man For The Job

Le jour 374 de Sarko

People think that homosexuality is accepted in Paris but not in the suburbs and the provinces. That is a false idea. As people feel that it's not a problem for me, it is no longer a problem for them.*

Bertrand "I ♥ Mumia" Delanoë,
the mayor of Paris, explaining why a France
not ready to elect a woman president
and can't elect a single minority to any office (and this)
is ready to elect him
(infra)

Hhmmm, but why bring up a nonproblem? Unless of course it is a problem.

FRANCE IS READY FOR GAY PRESIDENT,
SAYS PARIS MAYOR BERTRAND DELANOË

PARIS May 21, 2008 (Telegraph) - While the French media has shied away from the topic, Mr Delanoë's open homosexuality was previously considered by many as an insurmountable handicap for a presidential hopeful, given French conservatism on the subject.

But in his book, De l'audace ! (Courage!),** the 57-year old mayor brushes such suggestions aside.

READY OR NOT, HERE HE COMES
Will Mumia Make The Legion Of Honor?

The man who introduced Paris Plage and a popular self-service bike scheme [this, not this] to the French capital has been emboldened in recent days; a series of national opinion polls have placed him well ahead of his main rival, defeated presidential candidate Segolene Royal, as favourite to claim the Socialist leadership.

The rise of Mr Delanoë - who won a second mayoral term in March - forced Miss Royal into an early declaration over the weekend, when she announced her intention to succeed her former live-in partner Francois Hollande as First Secretary of the party. She has been touring the country ever since. The party picks its new leader in November.

Oh, President Delanoë, so yesterday to regular readers.

Widely seen as competent*** but with an authoritarian streak [along with a streak of crybabyism], Mr Delanoë likewise stated that he would "not hesitate" to accept the post while remaining committed to his mayoral duties.

And what better way to demonstrate his unhesitation, his sangfroid, than coolly cutting a little political throat in the headlines.

SÉGOLÈNE ROYAL REGRETTE
"LES ATTAQUES INUTILES" DE BERTRAND DELANOË
[SÉGOLÈNE ROYAL REGRETS
"THE POINTLESS ATTACKS" OF BERTRAND DELANOË]
22 mai 2008 (Le Monde)

Ah, but as we all know, when a politician finds time to comment on "pointess" attacks, the attacks have made their point.

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* Also this.

** audace f. = audacity, boldness; we feel something along these lines is what M. Delanoë has in mind rather than the Telegraph's less engaging "courage". M. Delanoë is playing off the oft-played-off quote by Georges Jacques Danton, where boldness is clearly intended.

*** Yes, well, we sorely wish he apply some competency to the city of Paris Web site, which is down as often as it is up and accessible.

PFFT (What is this?): Ready, steady, GO 0 | Ready, steady, NO 3 | Rayonnement français 0